as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back
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Recent Examples of fall back
Really, even if tracking is massively off, and Project Hail Mary falls back to a $50M opening in North America, va bene.
—
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
The bug—linked to the New Year date change from the 20th century to the 21st—never materialized, leading to predictions that tech spending would fall back to 20th century levels.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
There is also no new IRS stimulus pipeline to fall back on.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
In 2025, things got even worse, with the team falling back to seventh after being overtaken by Williams and the Racing Bulls.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
The bug—linked to the New Year date change from the 20th century to the 21st—never materialized, leading to predictions that tech spending would fall back to 20th century levels.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
There is also no new IRS stimulus pipeline to fall back on.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
In 2025, things got even worse, with the team falling back to seventh after being overtaken by Williams and the Racing Bulls.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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The annexation petition was withdrawn because of a resolution Castle Pines City Council will consider Tuesday to develop an annexation policy.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
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However, five of the players withdrew their asylum claims, while two members stayed in Australia, according to media reports.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Chinese companies aren’t retreating from the Arabian Gulf despite turmoil in the region, according to one of the world’s top management consultants.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
26 Mar. 2026
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As explained by the bank earlier in the week, its commodities strategists expect Brent crude to average $105 in March, spike to $115 in April, and then gradually retreat to $80 in the fourth quarter, assuming flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain severely disrupted for roughly six weeks.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Waits’ last album, Bad as Me, dropped back in 2011 — the same year he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
19 Mar. 2026
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Tree pollen in Austin is forecast to be very high on Wednesday, then climb to extreme levels Thursday through Saturday, before dropping back to very high on Sunday and Monday.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Chinese sources previously indicated to CNN the war could still further impact talks, or result in either side pulling out altogether, with China considering Chinese casualties or damage to Chinese assets as potential red lines.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
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Besides causing building foundations to crack and roadways to heave, the expansion and contraction can cause pipes to disconnect, and the pipe couplings that an Atmos predecessor installed are not resistant to pulling out, the board found.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Indonesia was already struggling to meet targets to retire coal plants early, with financing delays even before the Iran war.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
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As his mentors retired and left political office, Rubio promised to toe the line.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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